John Rapson
Encyclopedia
Ira John Rapson, III is an American jazz
trombonist and educator.
Rapson began on piano at age five before switching to trombone. He studied at Westmont College
, graduating in 1976, then took his MA in composition at California State University
. Rapson taught at Westmont from 1980 to 1990, concurrently playing in Los Angeles
with Vinny Golia
(1979-90). He also worked with Tim Berne
(1980, 1986), Walter Thompson
(1980), Bobby Bradford
(1986-90), and John Carter
(1988-90). He has worked extensively as a leader with noted West Coast jazz
players. His sextet, active from 1982-85, included Golia, Wayne Peet
, Alex Cline
, and Roberto Miguel Miranda; his octet, active from 1985-90, had Golia, Cline, Ken Filiano
, John Fumo
, Kim Richmond
or Steve Fowler
, and Bill Roper as members. He also led a trio in 1986-87 with Golia and Miranda.
Rapson moved to the East Coast
in 1990, studying at Wesleyan University
, where he received his doctorate in ethnomusicology
. He played with Anthony Braxton
in 1992 and worked with Ed Blackwell
(1990-91), Jay Hoggard
(1990-92), and Allen Lowe (1991-92). He again led a sextet from 1992-99 with Braxton, Bradford, Peet, Roper, and Cline. In 1993 he became a faculty member of the University of Iowa
School of Music, where he is director of jazz studies and conductor of the school's Johnson County Landmark jazz band. He led his own big band
in 1994, the OftENsemble, and formed the Oddball Trio Plus Trombone in 1996 with Steve Grismore.
As sideman
As director
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trombonist and educator.
Rapson began on piano at age five before switching to trombone. He studied at Westmont College
Westmont College
Westmont offers 26 majors, including: alternative major, art, biology, chemistry, communication studies, computer science, economics and business, education program, engineering physics, English, history, European studies, kinesiology, liberal studies, mathematics, modern languages , music,...
, graduating in 1976, then took his MA in composition at California State University
California State University
The California State University is a public university system in the state of California. It is one of three public higher education systems in the state, the other two being the University of California system and the California Community College system. It is incorporated as The Trustees of the...
. Rapson taught at Westmont from 1980 to 1990, concurrently playing in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
with Vinny Golia
Vinny Golia
Vinny Golia is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in woodwind instruments. He performs in the genres of contemporary music, jazz, free jazz, and free improvisation....
(1979-90). He also worked with Tim Berne
Tim Berne
Tim Berne is an American jazz saxophone player and composer.Described by critic Thom Jurek as commanding "considerable power as a composer and ... frighteningly deft ability as a soloist," Berne has composed and performed prolifically since the 1980s...
(1980, 1986), Walter Thompson
Walter Thompson
Walter Thompson may refer to:*Walter Thompson Creator of the Soundpainting language, founder of the Walter Thompson Orchestra*Walter A. Thompson , American film editor nominated twice for the Academy Award for Film Editing...
(1980), Bobby Bradford
Bobby Bradford
Bobby Lee Bradford is an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, and composer. He is noted for his work with Ornette Coleman...
(1986-90), and John Carter
John Carter (jazz musician)
John Wallace Carter was an American jazz clarinet, saxophone, and flute player.-Biography:Born in Fort Worth, Texas, he played with Ornette Coleman and Charles Moffett in the 1940s. From 1961, Carter was based mainly on the West Coast. There he met Bobby Bradford in 1965, with whom he...
(1988-90). He has worked extensively as a leader with noted West Coast jazz
West coast jazz
West Coast jazz refers to various styles of jazz music that developed around Los Angeles and San Francisco during the 1950s. West Coast jazz is often seen as a sub-genre of cool jazz, which featured a less frenetic, calmer style than bebop or hard bop. The music tended to be more heavily arranged,...
players. His sextet, active from 1982-85, included Golia, Wayne Peet
Wayne Peet
Wayne Edward Peet is an American jazz pianist & organist active chiefly on the West Coast jazz scene.Peet began on piano at age six; he played in churches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California while young. He also played trombone but quit the instrument in his early 20s...
, Alex Cline
Alex Cline
Alex Cline is an American jazz drummer.Cline began playing drums with his twin brother, guitarist Nels Cline, at age 11. Their first band was called Homogenized Goo and included David Hirschman on guitar. He began a musical association with woodwind artist Jamil Shabaka in 1976 as "Duo Infinity"...
, and Roberto Miguel Miranda; his octet, active from 1985-90, had Golia, Cline, Ken Filiano
Ken Filiano
Kenneth S. Filiano is an American jazz double bassist. He is associated with the modern free improvisational scene....
, John Fumo
John Fumo
John Fumo is an American trumpet, flugelhorn, and electric trumpet player. He maintains an active performing, recording, and touring schedule in addition to his CalArts teaching....
, Kim Richmond
Kim Richmond
Kim Richmond is an American jazz saxophonist and composer.Richmond played piano, clarinet, and saxophone when young, and made his professional debut in 1956. He studied at the University of Illinois in the early 1960s. He played in the Air Force big band, Airmen of Note, while serving from...
or Steve Fowler
Steve Fowler
Steve Fowler is currently group editor of What Car? which includes the magazines What Car?, What Car? New Car Guide, What Car? Price Guide and the website ....
, and Bill Roper as members. He also led a trio in 1986-87 with Golia and Miranda.
Rapson moved to the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
in 1990, studying at Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
, where he received his doctorate in ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology
Ethnomusicology is defined as "the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts."Coined by the musician Jaap Kunst from the Greek words ἔθνος ethnos and μουσική mousike , it is often considered the anthropology or ethnography of music...
. He played with Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
in 1992 and worked with Ed Blackwell
Ed Blackwell
Ed Blackwell was an American jazz drummer born in New Orleans, Louisiana, known for his extensive work with Ornette Coleman....
(1990-91), Jay Hoggard
Jay Hoggard
Jay Hoggard is an American jazz vibraphonist.Jay Hoggard was raised in a religious family. He was born in Washington, D.C. but grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. His mother taught him how to play piano at a young age. At age 15, Jay started to play the vibraphone.Hoggard first played piano and...
(1990-92), and Allen Lowe (1991-92). He again led a sextet from 1992-99 with Braxton, Bradford, Peet, Roper, and Cline. In 1993 he became a faculty member of the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
School of Music, where he is director of jazz studies and conductor of the school's Johnson County Landmark jazz band. He led his own big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
in 1994, the OftENsemble, and formed the Oddball Trio Plus Trombone in 1996 with Steve Grismore.
Discography
As leader- Bu-Wah (Nine Winds, 1986)
- Bing (Sound Aspects, 1990)
- Dances & Orations (Music & ArtsMusic & ArtsMusic & Arts is an American record label based in Kensington, California.Music & Arts is owned and operated by Music and Arts Programs of America, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to informal education in the arts, established in California in 1984...
, 1996) - Water and Blood (Nine Winds, 2001)
As sideman
- 7X (Tim BerneTim BerneTim Berne is an American jazz saxophone player and composer.Described by critic Thom Jurek as commanding "considerable power as a composer and ... frighteningly deft ability as a soloist," Berne has composed and performed prolifically since the 1980s...
, Empire Records, 1980) - Stardate (Walter ThompsonWalter ThompsonWalter Thompson may refer to:*Walter Thompson Creator of the Soundpainting language, founder of the Walter Thompson Orchestra*Walter A. Thompson , American film editor nominated twice for the Academy Award for Film Editing...
, Dane Records, 1980) - The Gift of Fury (Vinny GoliaVinny GoliaVinny Golia is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in woodwind instruments. He performs in the genres of contemporary music, jazz, free jazz, and free improvisation....
, Nine WindsNine WindsNine Winds is an American jazz record label, founded in 1977 by Vinny Golia.Golia initially founded the label to record West Coast jazz musicians, including himself...
, 1982) - Compositions for Large Ensembles (Vinny GoliaVinny GoliaVinny Golia is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in woodwind instruments. He performs in the genres of contemporary music, jazz, free jazz, and free improvisation....
Large Ensemble, Nine WindsNine WindsNine Winds is an American jazz record label, founded in 1977 by Vinny Golia.Golia initially founded the label to record West Coast jazz musicians, including himself...
, 1984) - Deeba dah bwee (Vinny GoliaVinny GoliaVinny Golia is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in woodwind instruments. He performs in the genres of contemporary music, jazz, free jazz, and free improvisation....
Large Ensemble, Nine WindsNine WindsNine Winds is an American jazz record label, founded in 1977 by Vinny Golia.Golia initially founded the label to record West Coast jazz musicians, including himself...
, 1985) - Headless Household (Josef Woodard and Dick Dunlap, HH Inc Music, 1987)
- Facts of Their Own Lives (Vinny GoliaVinny GoliaVinny Golia is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in woodwind instruments. He performs in the genres of contemporary music, jazz, free jazz, and free improvisation....
Large Ensemble, Nine WindsNine WindsNine Winds is an American jazz record label, founded in 1977 by Vinny Golia.Golia initially founded the label to record West Coast jazz musicians, including himself...
, 1988) - Pilgrimage to Obscurity (Vinny GoliaVinny GoliaVinny Golia is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in woodwind instruments. He performs in the genres of contemporary music, jazz, free jazz, and free improvisation....
Large Ensemble, Nine WindsNine WindsNine Winds is an American jazz record label, founded in 1977 by Vinny Golia.Golia initially founded the label to record West Coast jazz musicians, including himself...
, 1989) - New Tango '92: After Ástor PiazzollaÁstor PiazzollaÁstor Pantaleón Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music...
(Julius HemphillJulius HemphillJulius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone; less often soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.-Biography:...
and Allen Lowe, Fairhaven, 1991) - Mental Strain at Dawn: A Modern Portrait of Louis Armstrong (Doc Cheatham and David MurrayDavid Murray (jazz musician)David Murray is an American jazz musician. Murray plays mainly tenor saxophone and sometimes bass clarinet. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970s.-Biography:...
, Stash Records, 1992) - 4 (Ensemble) Compositions 19924 (Ensemble) Compositions 19924 Compositions is an album by American saxophonist and composer Anthony Braxton ecorded in 1993 for the Italian Black Saint label.-Reception:...
(Anthony BraxtonAnthony BraxtonAnthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
, Black Saint, 1993)
As director
- Been There, Done That (University of IowaUniversity of IowaThe University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
Johnson County Landmark, John Rapson, director, self-production, 1995) - A Mingus Among Us (University of IowaUniversity of IowaThe University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
Johnson County Landmark, John Rapson, director, self-production, 1996)